YMCA executive director steps down after 21 years

Monday

Brookfield citizen O.J. Rodriguez has been working for the YMCA for the past 21 years, but has decided to step down.

A party was held in Rodriguez’ honor June 28 at the YMCA for North Central Missouri.

O.J. Rodriguez began working at the YMCA when it was just a weight room inside Brookfield High School. Since then, the YMCA for North Central Missouri has grown into what is today.

After becoming the program director for the YMCA, Rodriguez moved his way up to executive director in 2010. Rodriguez has stayed at the same position since then.

According to CEO of YMCA for North Central Missouri Matt Jones, they are already looking for a new executive director.

“The search for a new director will continue until July 15,” Jones said. “We expect the new director to start Sept. 1. The search is going better than expected.”

According to Jones, the YMCA has already a good batch of candidates. Some candidates are from the community, but many more are from elsewhere in the U.S. The tenure for YMCA employees to stay in ne position is typically three years.

Rodriguez says he will still be busy.

“I’m not retiring just yet,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez will coach Brookfield Football in the fall. Rodriguez will also join his wife to focus on their local construction business, Better by Design.

Jones is the CEO of three area YMCAs. Jones oversees the YMCA for North Central Missouri, Grand River YMCA and the YMCA of Carroll County.